The nightmare gifts

When it comes to potential annoyance caused by a bad gift, it’s not as bad as you might think.

86% of Czechs claim not to have any “nightmare” gift and say that they would appreciate any gift they receive (at least someone remembered them - see also “The good gifts” section).

Who complains about bad gifts?

Still, there are 14% gift critics here. In this case, the generational difference plays its role. Young people under the age of 25 have the biggest issues with bad gifts – it’s 24% of them within this age subgroup. For comparison, among people over 55 y.o., it is only 9%. This is also the reason why young people value money instead of a gift the most. So, those of you who are older than that, you don't have to pretend that you know what young people want and how to surprise them for Christmas. That’s just a way to end up as a completely silly boomer. Simply give them money.

And what are the gruesome gifts?

If you're guessing the proverbial “měkkouši“ (for non-native speakers, it means something like „the softies“ – derived from the soft nature of these items) and socks in particular. Yes, they're on the top with 38%. Nonetheless, it’s not a complete mistake to put such a gift under the tree, because some Czechs like them (mostly men). Overall, there is a 2:1 ratio between those who hate them vs. those who like them.

The second place is shared by cosmetics and clothes. The problem with cosmetics is when it's too obvious that it's a cheap last-minute option, just to not come up empty-handed. And even if it’s not a cheap thing, the smell and a thousand other things may not suit the gifted. The highest probability that you get into trouble with such a gift is in the case of young Czech women, they'll tell you right away - the older ones might keep a poker face.

When it comes to clothes, a problem is when the gift mainly expresses the taste of the giver. And it's again the young who don't want to wear what their parents or other older relatives think might look good on them.

In any case, the advice is simple. If you don't know the recipient well enough or don't know what he/she wants, don't take a chance. To ask is the least you can do - although it might not be the most romantic situation resembling an American Christmas movie. However, it’s still better than to create an unnecessary stifling atmosphere... As we know from the good gifts question: What people genuinely appreciate? When someone makes the effort to find out what is the right thing to please the other person with. And you can always discreetly ask the people close to the person you want to give a present to.